New York City using drones to monitor outdoor backyard parties this holiday weekend

New York City will be using drones to monitor large outdoor gatherings over the Labor Day weekend, police said Thursday.

“If a caller states there’s a large crowd, a large party in a backyard, we’re going to be utilizing our assets to go up and go check on the party,” Assistant New York Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said at a press conference.

The NYPD discussed security measures ahead of the holiday weekend, which includes the city’s J’Ouvert celebrations and the West Indian American Day Carnival in Brooklyn.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) expressed interest in using drone technology in his city’s policing during a visit to Israel last week.

“I’ve been leaning into how we could appropriately use drones, and they had great technology on using drones for early detection,” Adams said, according to the Times of Israel.

The mayor announced new rules for drone usage in the city last month, including a permitting process and guidelines for the takeoff and landing of unpiloted aircraft.

“Today, New York City is flying into the future, using drones to make city services faster and safer, and likely saving taxpayer dollars as well,” Adams said at the time.

The Associated Press contributed.